Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-12-01

eyes like twin stars, radiant with glad
ness. Following her, | soon saw the
erect soldierly figure Of my young
friend.
"''Only three more years, he said,
as he again left US. Cheer up, my
loved ones; God will be good and re-
unite us all again.
Two of them went by. They
brought great changes. Pierres aged
m lher had passed away, blessing
with her last breath her absent son
and the sweet girl whose ministrations
had soothed her dying hours.
"Then came news that Pierre had
won his epaulets, and with them a
golden star for his courage aud Prov
ess, which, at the moment of seeming
" certain defeat, had changed the for
tune Of bis regiment to victory.
"How proud we all were!
'Still another battle; and then-oh,
then came crushing intelligence! Our
brave young soldier, the winner of the
Star Of Honor, had been killed!
"Then, from time to time, shattered
veterans, wounded and manned for
life, passed through our village, seek
ing their homes only to die. ~
odd you know 4 youth named
Pierre Layele?' asked of one. The
tears sprang to his eyes, and as with
his only hand he dashed them
away, he exclaimed: know him?
know Pierre the Hero! He was my
captain He fell in the battle In
which received the wound that has
left me as you see me. Oh, but he
earned the title all called him-Pierre
the Herol Had it not been for him
we would have lost instead of, as we
did, won the day. Once before he
won n golden star-a pretty bauble;
but this time, in the very midst of
blood and carnage, | saw our imperial
leader lean from his horse, and take
from his own breast the only decor
alton it bore 1t was cross--only
iron, it is true; but an emblem each
one Of us would have been prouder to
own than one glittering with brilliant
gems. my noble youth, wear this!"
he exclaimed. "Should aught happen
to me and you live, know that your
leader could not delay till after the
battle was over, but thus rewards you
now!'
He did not wait longer; but spur
ring his horse was off to another part
Of the field. On our captains breast
was the iron cross. After that | re-
| member nothing more When | came
to myself in the hospital they told me
my captain was dead.
AS the old soldier thus spoke Mar
guorito was by my side, and heard all.
She had changed sadly in those last few
weeks; but / knew that until then she
had not given up hope. As time pass
ed | could not help but notice that
the pathetic grief in Marguerite's face,
instead Of injuring her beauty, only
made it the more striking And so
thought one Jules Dermot-a rich
farmer, and good friend of mine, but
man twice Marguerites age
"A year went slowly by, and then
one day Marguerite came TO me for adj
vice. Her father was old and poor,
and growing each day more feeble,
and now he asked of her a sacrifice.
That she should ensure the com It of
his declining years, and her oW well
fare when he should be gone, by ac-
cepting and marrying the wealthy
respected farmer, Jules Dermot. |
thought long and earnestly, then |
said:
My child, how do you yourself
feel about?'
"a resolute light filled her pretty
eyes.
- / have thought she said sadly,
that it might be wrong for me to re-
fuse to obey my fathers wishes. |
have been taught by you that a child's
first duty is 10 her parents, and my
father has not long to live. A girls
passionate love | can never give to
Jules Dermot, and so | have told him;
but as his wife | can serve and obey
him faithfully and truly, and he says
he will be more than content to have
me even thus.
"What could | say but what / did
to follow the impulses of her own pure
heart; they could not lead her wrong.
So they were married; and the old
father left his humble cottage, and
lived the following year (Which
proved his lasO in his daughters new
home. Then came n little Marguerite
to jules Dermot and his wife; a tiny
copy OF her mother. Like pure
white daisy she lay, just beginning
her young life. while alas! the mother
the beloved of all was dying The
truth could not be long disguised.
There was no hope.
"A tremulous aigh-a long upward
look-and then a beautiful inanimate
form was all that was left to us. Jules
Dermot sorrowed faithfully and keen
Nv; then after q time an irresistible cray-
ing for change came to him. He had,
money. and he would travel SO he
brought the little Marguerite to me,
and left her in my care.
lone summer evening my pet and |
were in the garden, when | saw a
mans figure coming up the road with
slow and weary steps He paused at
the gate and looked in at US.
Come iu. sir and rest yourself,
said; and lifting the latch he came to-
wards me.
..As my gaze fell on the tall attenu-
ated form and the wan face, which
looked blanehed and worn under the
coou's clear beams. started. and